Flooding

The Saturday of Jemmas dance recital it began to rain, and rain. As the day went on and the rain did not let up, it bag an flooding. The pictures are of the field across the road from our house. As the afternoon ran on, streams and rivers started swelling and flooding began. People all around had basements flooding.  

Reports are saying in the last 72 hours our area has received 7 inches of percipitation. The hospital had to be evacuated as well as at least 50 families living in Hudson. There is suppose to be more rain and spring run off to come, so the town is preparing. The National Guard has been deployed to help as well as the Red Cross and the Mayors have declared an emergency. 

Luckily, we have not had any trouble, but many of our neighbors and friends have been effected. 

Dance Recital

Jemma's dance recital was amazing as always. We both look forward to it all year long. 

Jemma's dances:

Tumbling to Roar by Katy Perry

Ballet to The Entertainer

Jazz to Mama I'm a Big Girl Now from Hairspray

Finale to Better When I'm dancing by Megan Tranior

As always, Jemma and Emily we completely excited and acting like goofballs for pictures. 

Busy, Busy

I found this meme and though it very appropriate. April and May are filled to the brim. The kids and I are counting down the days til summer vacation. 3 weeks left. We can do this!

Betty Beatrice Harris McNichol

Betty Beatrice (Harris) McNichol, former resident of West Nyack, New York passed away Thursday, April 28, 2016 at The Life Care Center in Idaho Falls, Idaho. She was born July 18, 1923 in Pueblo, Colorado to Rolph Fredrick Harris and Zerelda Elizabeth Little. Betty's family later moved to Hot Springs, Arkansas where she attended school.  She met William McNichol in Little Rock while he was in basic training.  They had a whirlwind courtship and married on August 10, 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas. Bill and Betty later moved to Nyack, New York where they raised their two sons Bill and David. After Betty worked for many years at Orange and Rockland, the couple retired to Mesa, Arizona. Betty moved to Idaho Falls, Idaho after the death of Bill, to live near her son David.

Betty was an avid reader, loved horses, was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, had a collection of turquoise jewelry, and enjoyed nothing more than gazing at the western landscapes.  Betty was content and happy in life. She was also a great example to her family of kindness and had a forgiving nature.

Betty died at the age of 92 after having a life full of love for and from her family. She was proceeded in death by her parents and siblings.  Her husband, William Francis McNichol and her two sons, William Rolph McNichol and David Michael McNichol.  She is survived by her two daughter-in-laws: Robin (Bill) McNichol, Julie (David) McNichol, and four granddaughters: Krysti (Robert) Buchanan, Michelle (Robert) Hammond, Ashlee (Matthew) Washburn, and Heather (Jason) Nulph.  Betty is also survived by twelve great-grandchildren: Benjamin, Ella, Bennett, Ethan, Grace, Felicity, Jacksen, Jemma, Brogan, Olivia, Kinzlee, and Kate. 

Mass will be held Monday, May 9, 2016 at 1:00 pm at the St. Ann's Roman Catholic Church in Nyack.  Internment will follow at the Oak Hill Cemetery in Nyack, New York.

13th Annual Jackson Hole Antler Hunt

I don't know if you knew this, but every year on May 1st Matt makes his pilgrimage to Jackson Hole. May 1st is when the elk refuge is opened to the public. Grown men come from all over and plot and plan on how to jockey for the best position to be the first on the refuge. They then scramble to the hills to try and find as many antlers as they can. Matt has been doing this since the first year we were married. That year he and his brother, Tyler, each got about 10 antlers. The next year they did about the same. Every year after it has gone down hill. There have been years they have come home empty handed or with one white antler. But they have not given up hope. This year Matt was rewarded for his perseverance and brought home 3 brown antlers!  

He has already began plotting for next year. 

Pinewood Derby

Let's get ready to rumble!

Jacksen was ready to challenge Bennett for his title as first place winner of the Pinewood Derby!  

The boys worked really hard on their cars. Yes that's right, cars. As in multiple cars per boy. Matt ordered three extra car kits from the scouting office and that was the start of a two month planning session. I don't know all the ins and outs of their building pinewood derby cars, but in the end, the Washburns emerged victorious!  Bennett's car won 1st place and Jacks took 2nd place. Both boys were happy and excited for each other. All their planning and work payed off! 

Another noteworthy tidbit: The boys built Jemma a car and painted it in her favorite color. She raced it in the Family Fun run and also won 1st place. YAY!!

The Many Faces of Jemma

This is what I get when my kids figure out my password and hijack my phone. 

Choir Concert

Bennett performed in his 4th grade choir concert. Mr. Wilson is his choir teacher and he always has the best concerts. In 4th grade the kids get to compose and write their own class song. The songs that they came up with were pretty entertaining and creative. Jemma and I throughly enjoyed attending this concert. 

The Deer Head

I don't know it's name yet.  I'm sure Matt is taking his time to think up something profound and fitting. I'm pretty sure if came down to me or It he will choose It.  

I'm praying that having a deer head on my wall is only temporary. It's eyes follow me down the hall. It's creepy. 

On a side note:  In a previous entry I claimed that while Jemma and I had gone to Gillette, Matt and the boys had gone to pick this beauty up. That was false. They picked it up in Idaho while Jemma and I were in Green River. After church, Jemma went to choir practice and by the time we got home, this was on my wall. 

Matt also offended Jemma throughly and she hates the beast now also. Monday after work, Matt came in and after a few minutes stated, "I haven't hugged my favorite thing today". Jemma being use to hearing things like that directed to her by Matt dismissed his comment until he walked passed her and hugged the deer head. That earned Matt a scowl and a bedroom door slammed in the house. I don't think she will ever forgive the deer. 

Aspire Dance Competition

Once again we had a girls weekend. This time in Green River, Wyoming. Jemma was super excited to perform her jazz dance on stage. When all was said and done, her team got a Ruby placement for their performance to the song of "Mamma, I'm A Big Girl Now". 

Sleepy Head!

This NEVER happens!

Bennett never just randomly falls asleep in the car. (Or any place for that matter)

We had to go to the dentist in Riverton to have them take care of a canker sore that wasn't healing on the inside of Bennett's lip. On the way home he fell asleep. This kid will NEVER admitt to being tired. EVER. Just before he fell asleep I saw his eyelids drooping, and his head bobbing. I asked him if he was tired and of course he said no. He always tell me no. So when he actually fell asleep I decided to document this very rare occurrence. 

There you have it. The one time Bennett fell asleep in the car. 

Choir Concert

Jacksen was pretty excited to perform in his 3rd grade choir concert. The kids and the music teacher put in a lot of time for this concert. 

Jacksen got to play a drum for one of the songs, unfortunely, his music teacher was standing in front of him and all I could get was his black tie. 

Spring Soccer

Spring soccer has begun!  Both boys are on a team with our neighbor boy, Kyle Sandall, as their coach. Kyle is in our ward and is on the high school soccer team. The boys have a great time with him. 

I was really on top of my game and snapped one random picture of Bennett being goalie. The season is not done yet, so hopefully I can snap a few more random shots.